Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.

Mojtaba Valiyee

Richard A Martindale

William A Martindale

Gabriel M Dial

Juha K Salmela

A flow control device for a bar gun manifold. The flow control device includes a sleeve and an actuating member. The sleeve is monolithically formed of an elastomeric material. The sleeve includes a cylindrical outer surface, a through hole oriented transverse to the sleeve axis of rotation, a first raised portion that encircles the sleeve and is shaped to provide a seal between the sleeve and the manifold body, and a first interface shaped to connect the sleeve to the actuating member. The actuating member includes a second interface shaped to interface with the first interface. The first and second interfaces are shaped to transfer rotation of the actuating member about the sleeve axis of rotation to the sleeve to reorient the through hole relative to a fluid passage of the manifold body.

Elastomeric flow control device for a bar gun manifold

The present invention provides improved retention of O-rings and easier O-ring replacement by using an O-ring retainer in a bar gun. Furthermore, the assembly of the butterfly plates of the bar gun is improved by using molded ball bearing clusters that fit in recesses in the butterfly plates, thus eliminating the welding of the balls to the butterfly plates and the need to purchase such precise and intricately small balls. The O-ring retainer and molded ball bearing cluster are preferably made from bearing quality acetal plastic materials.

Beverage dispensing apparatus with butterfly plates and a molded O-ring retainer

An apparatus for dispensing a beverage, for use with pressurized sources of one or more fluids, includes a handle having one or more valve chambers; a fluid valve in each valve chamber; one or more butterfly plates, each configured to bias one or more of the valve stems of the valves towards a valve-open position when the butterfly plate is pressed, thus opening fluidic communication from each of the fluid sources to a corresponding discharge opening; and a ball bearing cluster which provides one or more pivot points for the butterfly plates. The ball bearing cluster includes a retainer and at least one ball-shaped projection projecting from the retainer. The ball-shaped projection remains in a substantially fixed position and orientation with respect to both the retainer and the handle when one or more of the butterfly plates is pressed. The ball bearing cluster and butterfly plate may be molded.

Beverage dispensing apparatus with butterfly plates and molded cluster bearings

Split heel set for a bar gun handle assembly

A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a beverage dispensing head wherein a rigid plate is disposed over a mixing fluid valve stem and a plurality of base fluid valve stems. The plate has an opening located over each base fluid valve stem for receiving the associated base fluid valve stem therethrough. The plate has a rigid surface disposed over the mixing fluid valve stem. A mixing fluid button contacts the rigid surface of the plate so that, when the mixing fluid button is depressed, only the mixing fluid is dispensed. A first base fluid button covers the opening in the plate disposed over its associated base fluid valve stem. The first base fluid button also contacts the plate so that, when the button is depressed, the button depresses both the base fluid valve stem and the plate. The plate, in turn, depresses the mixing fluid valve stem. A second base fluid button includes a projection which extends through the opening in the plate without contacting the plate for depressing only its associated base fluid valve stem. A brixing valve used in the beverage dispensing device includes a first housing having a plurality of first tubes attached thereto and having first ends extending therefrom. Each first tube has a recess disposed on a side of its first end. A second housing has a plurality of second tubes attached thereto, a first end of each second tube being sized for slideably receiving the first end of an associated first tube therein. The first end of each second tube has an opening which aligns with the recess in its associated first tube when the first and second tubes are matingly engaged. A portion of a fastening clip extends through the opening in a second tube and into the recess in the first tube to lock to first and second housings together. To facilitate decoupling of the first and second housings, a cam is pivotably disposed on one of the first or second housings for pressing the other housing away when the cam is pivoted.

Beverage dispensing apparatus

A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a beverage dispensing head wherein a rigid plate is disposed over a mixing fluid valve stem and a plurality of base fluid valve stems. The plate has an opening located over each base fluid valve stem for receiving the associated base fluid valve stem therethrough. The plate has a rigid surface disposed over the mixing fluid valve stem. A mixing fluid button contacts the rigid surface of the plate so that, when the mixing fluid button is depressed, only the mixing fluid is dispensed. A first base fluid button covers the opening in the plate disposed over its associated base fluid valve stem. The first base fluid button also contacts the plate so that, when the button is depressed, the button depresses both the base fluid valve stem and the plate. The plate, in turn, depresses the mixing fluid valve stem. A second base fluid button includes a projection which extends through the opening in the plate without contacting the plate for depressing only its associated base fluid valve stem.

Beverage dispensing head

A beverage dispensing apparatus for dispensing premixed carbonated beverages from a single beverage dispensing head, the premixed beverages being supplied to a dispenser head by conduits connected to individual premixed beverage sources. The dispenser head consists of a handle having an upper surface portion. The dispenser head has a plurality of channels therethrough, each connected at one end to the conduit and discharging the premixed beverage at the other end. The channel has a tapered portion, which is generally parallel to the upper surface of the dispenser head. A valve is received within the tapered portion and includes a stemmed poppet having a stem at one end and a biasing member which urges the poppet toward the taper so as to seal the valve. The valve is actuated by an obtusely angled lever, having a first portion generally parallel to the first surface of the dispenser head and a second portion, operatively coupled to and essentially perpendicular to the poppet stem. A pushbutton, located proximate to the first surface of the dispenser head, is operatively coupled to the first portion of the lever. The valve on the dispenser head may be opened when the pushbutton is depressed, which causes the second lever portion to slidably engage the poppet stem.

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Moraga, CA, United States of America

Mojtaba Valiyee